Security programs in the United States are currently under review to include the United Nations Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classifications. Chemical labeling of hazardous materials is changing to promote a uniform approach to give employees a greater understanding of what they are actually working on, providing a much-needed update from the previous 1910.1200 standard.
The GHS standards originate over several years of negotiation by hazard communication experts in many different countries. The end product of the international effort is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals; or as industry professionals affectionately nicknamed, “The Purple Book.” The Purple Book includes information on physical, environmental and health hazards to convey the hazards to the user. The United Nations is committed to reviewing and revising these standards every two years as necessary to further refine security programs. So far, the revisions have been additional clarifications of the presentation of the information; however, updates can also include direct final rules, technical updates, and notice and comment rule creation.
In the past, different distributors and manufacturers varied slightly the way a chemical was labeled, and safety plans varied and had to allow room for this variation. For example, the same chemical can be labeled toxic, very toxic, or extremely toxic, depending on which company it comes from. The recently adopted system eliminates variation and promotes uniformity. Each hazard can be classified within any of the 9 pictograms within a red-framed border. Pictograms include: Health hazard, a flame, an exclamation point, a gas cylinder, corrosion, an explosive bomb, a flame over a circle, the environment (not required), and a skull and crossbones.
The December 1, 2013 deadline for employee training is fast approaching; which means that safety plans must be reviewed and re-taught before this deadline. The hope for the new system is that employees can be trained quickly on the new standard. Chemical manufacturers, employers and importers have until June 1, 2015 to comply with the updated requirements; while Distributors are allowed to continue shipping products under the above standards until December 1, 2015.
Updates to the Hazard Communication Standard or Hazcom also require that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) meet a specific 16-section standard. The WHAT of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is not changing, but the format and presentation of the information IS changing. The information will be required to be in order, which will allow professionals who use the information to be able to quickly consult the necessary sections in an efficient manner. The requirement for threshold limit values established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists will continue to be listed; however, the limit is voluntary.